Nodes on Lungs Always Colon Cancer That's Spread?

carrieh
carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

It's been almost two years since I had the tumor removed from my colon. I had to fight long and hard after that because of radiation almost killing me, but here I am; alive and hopefully well. I had a catscan about 9 months ago that showed two nodes on my lungs. I had another one last thursday that shows that one of the nodes has grown. I'm feeling scared, shocked, tearful...that's usually where colon cancer spreads right? The liver and lungs? I'm trying to be positive but I'm having a rough time tonight. I'm still alive so that means I have a shot and I'm tough, but it feels like I just got out of the hospital. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to do this again.

The catscan says that it is "likely represents pulmonary metastatic disease in this patient with a history of colon cancer. Then later in the report it says, I would consider this a likely neoplastic lesion despite a negative PET scan with a Pet ct scan possibly indicating lesions at other locations? What? Does this not contridict the other statement? I see the doctor in the morning but I want to prepare myself because I don't know if I can take this again. Does anyone speak radiologist?

 

Thank you,

Carrie and Kids

Comments

  • lp1964
    lp1964 Member Posts: 1,239 Member
    #2
    Dear Carrie,

    You probably had your consultation by the time you read this. I hope they gave you a clear answer to your confusion. i also hope that everything is alright and wish you strength and good luck whatever is ahead of you. Let us know how the consultation went .

    Laz

  • Annabelle41415
    Annabelle41415 Member Posts: 6,742 Member
    #3
    Wording

    With any scan the wording can become so complicated.  If you have seen your doctor by now, I'm sure they have given you an explanation other than that, I'm really not sure what it all means.  It's scary for any results and I'm wishing you the best outcome.  It is hard not to worry and saying not to doesn't help.  Let us know what the doctor says.

    Kim

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,796 Member
    #4
    Check in with us, Carrie

    I hope you got good news, but if it is a return, I know you'll be able to face it again. 

    The battle is worth the fight. I've just been bumped up to Stage IV, and surgery is scheduled for Thursday on a liver met. We do what we have to do. Life and our kids are worth it. 

    Come here for support. We'll face it together. 

    Blessings!

  • carrieh
    carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member
    #5
    Trubrit said:

    Check in with us, Carrie

    I hope you got good news, but if it is a return, I know you'll be able to face it again. 

    The battle is worth the fight. I've just been bumped up to Stage IV, and surgery is scheduled for Thursday on a liver met. We do what we have to do. Life and our kids are worth it. 

    Come here for support. We'll face it together. 

    Blessings!

    Thank You

    Thank you everyone. I don't post a lot here. Like yesterday I was feeling sorry for myself and I read about someone losing their husband. I felt like I was being ridiculous; I mean, I'm still here and feeling good enough to worry. Gosh, cancer is such a head trip sometimes. Even if you're in remission, it's like trying to live with a constant fear eating at your peace of mind. I haven't been in this battle as long as some of you, but you all amaze me. I guess I never expected to go through everything I went through and to get bad news. It's frustrating. I'm MAD! I hate cancer! I wanna wring the life out of it..

    Biopsy is the next step; won't know much until then. I'm scared; hate needles. Does it hurt? (lung biopsy)?

    Trubrit, you amaze me. You always have something kind and encouraging to say to others; and you're going through so much yourself. That is the definition of a hero to me. I'll pray for you with all of my heart Thursday. That's a great picture; you look really happyLaughing

     

    Sweet Dreams to All,

    Carrie and kiddos

     

     

     

  • Lisa2012
    Lisa2012 Member Posts: 142
    #6
    Hang in there

    Carrie,

    a biopsy is no worse than chemo, you can do it.   Like you I was NED, but that only last for three months, so I am " doing it again".  I wish you strength and peace.   I pray that the biopsy goes well.

    lisa

  • carrieh
    carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member
    #7
    Lisa2012 said:

    Hang in there

    Carrie,

    a biopsy is no worse than chemo, you can do it.   Like you I was NED, but that only last for three months, so I am " doing it again".  I wish you strength and peace.   I pray that the biopsy goes well.

    lisa

    Lisa,
    Thanks:-) I've cheered

    Lisa,

    Thanks:-) I've cheered up so much. The first time around I reacted with FEAR..I feel strangely unafraid now. I guess something changed inside..I'm not spending any more of the life I have worrying! Or crying! Sometimes cancer can make you feel like you're standing on the chopping block, waiting for the axe to fall. That's the hard thing for me. Not knowing. How hard will I have to fight this time? Is my body strong enough to do it again? LOL..I'm learning to meditate..turn that noisy" what if" off. 

    I'm sending you healthy, happy thoughts :-) you're really brave :-) you hang in there too

  • UncleBuddy
    UncleBuddy Member Posts: 1,019 Member
    #8
    FYI

    When we took my brother to the thoracic surgeon, he told us that the nodes on the lungs could be several things. He said it could be a new cancer (which is preferred over a met), it could be a met, or it could be scar tissue from a past infection. He had the biopsy which he said was no big deal (he's not a complainer, so I don't know how reliable that is) and it came back as a met. He also has a tumor on the liver. Right now they are only doing chemo, but he went for his CT scan today, so I'm waiting to see if the tumor and nodes are still there. Surgery is up in the air right now. He has a lot of other health issues that are making his doctors tread lightly.

    Lin

    PS Good luck. I hope it's nothing!

  • carrieh
    carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member
    #9
    UncleBuddy said:

    FYI

    When we took my brother to the thoracic surgeon, he told us that the nodes on the lungs could be several things. He said it could be a new cancer (which is preferred over a met), it could be a met, or it could be scar tissue from a past infection. He had the biopsy which he said was no big deal (he's not a complainer, so I don't know how reliable that is) and it came back as a met. He also has a tumor on the liver. Right now they are only doing chemo, but he went for his CT scan today, so I'm waiting to see if the tumor and nodes are still there. Surgery is up in the air right now. He has a lot of other health issues that are making his doctors tread lightly.

    Lin

    PS Good luck. I hope it's nothing!

    Thank you, I hope it's just

    Thank you, I hope it's just scarring. I aspirated during surgery and spent three weeks on a respirator with Acute Respiratory Distress so "here's hopin"...I'm pretty scared of the biopsy. That's silly after a zillion and one surgeries, but ? I cry everytime I get an IV. Makes me feel like a guinea pig. I'm so outdoorsy and sunshiney...and hospitals are so cold and creepy to me.

    I'm sorry about your brother. I'll keep you guys in my thoughts. Maybe we can good vibe each other into some better news LOL

    Carrie

  • Hooley
    Hooley Member Posts: 156
    #10
    carrieh said:

    Thank you, I hope it's just

    Thank you, I hope it's just scarring. I aspirated during surgery and spent three weeks on a respirator with Acute Respiratory Distress so "here's hopin"...I'm pretty scared of the biopsy. That's silly after a zillion and one surgeries, but ? I cry everytime I get an IV. Makes me feel like a guinea pig. I'm so outdoorsy and sunshiney...and hospitals are so cold and creepy to me.

    I'm sorry about your brother. I'll keep you guys in my thoughts. Maybe we can good vibe each other into some better news LOL

    Carrie

    Same

    Hi carrie,  I was dx aug 2010 with bowel cancer, which was removed plus with 4 lung mets.  They did the biopsy which was painless pretty much but at least,got an ideal which proved for me to be mets.  My first lung specialist said, cannot operate, too deep. So hence had 3 1/2 years of chemo.  Long and drawn out.  As I was running out of options we decided timber another surgoons opinion. well after all this time this new surgeon said, I think three and a half years of chemo is enough!  He said I would recommend surgery particularly as I never had any other mets in all those years. Thank God!  My oncologist never suggested surgery for me but wantednqualitynof life!!   I decided for surgery and two weeks ago had lobectomy of right upper and middle lobe and wedge of bottom.  Those buggers are GONE!   the met in the left lung seems to have died or they question what it really was?   I also enquired about microwave ablation on them but my larger tumor was too big so they wouldn't do it (63mm).    Im in recovery now after a lung collapse cos they took the drain out too early!   I prayed for years for a Gods guidance and mynfairh was tested many times.  But my faith kept me going.  I am very grateful and i will sure pray for Gods peace and strength for u too.   Take care

  • Lisa2012
    Lisa2012 Member Posts: 142
    #11
    Just checking in

    Carrie,

    I hope you are doing well and that you have your biopsy scheduled.   Until then enjoy your kids and your time outdoors 

    LisaLisa

     

  • carrieh
    carrieh Member Posts: 146 Member
    #12
    Hooley said:

    Same

    Hi carrie,  I was dx aug 2010 with bowel cancer, which was removed plus with 4 lung mets.  They did the biopsy which was painless pretty much but at least,got an ideal which proved for me to be mets.  My first lung specialist said, cannot operate, too deep. So hence had 3 1/2 years of chemo.  Long and drawn out.  As I was running out of options we decided timber another surgoons opinion. well after all this time this new surgeon said, I think three and a half years of chemo is enough!  He said I would recommend surgery particularly as I never had any other mets in all those years. Thank God!  My oncologist never suggested surgery for me but wantednqualitynof life!!   I decided for surgery and two weeks ago had lobectomy of right upper and middle lobe and wedge of bottom.  Those buggers are GONE!   the met in the left lung seems to have died or they question what it really was?   I also enquired about microwave ablation on them but my larger tumor was too big so they wouldn't do it (63mm).    Im in recovery now after a lung collapse cos they took the drain out too early!   I prayed for years for a Gods guidance and mynfairh was tested many times.  But my faith kept me going.  I am very grateful and i will sure pray for Gods peace and strength for u too.   Take care

    My Favorite People

    Sincerely,

    You guys are some of my favorite people. I don't want anyone else to go through this stuff...but it's very comforting to know that you aren't alone. It gives me so much strength. I have to admit, I worry about a lot of you guys now and hope each day that you're feeling good.

    Hooley, after you have a lobectomy does it make it hard to breathe? I really don't know anything about the effects of surgery on the lungs. You're really brave, btw. I'm so happy for you, hope your recovery is going well.

     

    And thanks for checking on me, that means a lot to me...I see the oncologist this Tuesday and will be setting up my biopsy. Keeping my little fingers and toes crossed for good news. My family doctor really put my mind at ease. Even if it's bad news, I can fight...my plan of attack is to make my body so darn healthy that cancer just gives up! LOL..I also believe in the power of positivity. Our mind tells our body what to do, so I'm workin on "brainwashing" myself, if you will...kill those mutant cells! If that doesn't work there's always good ol' chemo..

    Hope everyone's doing good today. Did Trubrit have surgery after that insurance fiasco? Anybody know if everything went ok?

  • Hooley
    Hooley Member Posts: 156
    #13
    carrieh said:

    My Favorite People

    Sincerely,

    You guys are some of my favorite people. I don't want anyone else to go through this stuff...but it's very comforting to know that you aren't alone. It gives me so much strength. I have to admit, I worry about a lot of you guys now and hope each day that you're feeling good.

    Hooley, after you have a lobectomy does it make it hard to breathe? I really don't know anything about the effects of surgery on the lungs. You're really brave, btw. I'm so happy for you, hope your recovery is going well.

     

    And thanks for checking on me, that means a lot to me...I see the oncologist this Tuesday and will be setting up my biopsy. Keeping my little fingers and toes crossed for good news. My family doctor really put my mind at ease. Even if it's bad news, I can fight...my plan of attack is to make my body so darn healthy that cancer just gives up! LOL..I also believe in the power of positivity. Our mind tells our body what to do, so I'm workin on "brainwashing" myself, if you will...kill those mutant cells! If that doesn't work there's always good ol' chemo..

    Hope everyone's doing good today. Did Trubrit have surgery after that insurance fiasco? Anybody know if everything went ok?

    All,good

    Hi carrieh,   It's been 1 month now since surgery.   Even having had the lung collapse,,cos they took,the drain out too early so,had to reinsert, I'm sitting here breathing completely normal.  There are breathing exercises uncan do but I won't run a marathon tomorrow. But watch out!  When I get my fitness back u never know!   I read how an athlete had an entire lung out and they went on to comp,etE a marathon!    I am so blessed and I thank God for every day.   I will do bit by bit, walk bits and gradually increase. For now if I climb a bit of a hill I would puff but that's expected,  it's only early days but I'm,well,and truly ALIVE and those buggers are OUT!

  • Hooley
    Hooley Member Posts: 156
    #14
    carrieh said:

    My Favorite People

    Sincerely,

    You guys are some of my favorite people. I don't want anyone else to go through this stuff...but it's very comforting to know that you aren't alone. It gives me so much strength. I have to admit, I worry about a lot of you guys now and hope each day that you're feeling good.

    Hooley, after you have a lobectomy does it make it hard to breathe? I really don't know anything about the effects of surgery on the lungs. You're really brave, btw. I'm so happy for you, hope your recovery is going well.

     

    And thanks for checking on me, that means a lot to me...I see the oncologist this Tuesday and will be setting up my biopsy. Keeping my little fingers and toes crossed for good news. My family doctor really put my mind at ease. Even if it's bad news, I can fight...my plan of attack is to make my body so darn healthy that cancer just gives up! LOL..I also believe in the power of positivity. Our mind tells our body what to do, so I'm workin on "brainwashing" myself, if you will...kill those mutant cells! If that doesn't work there's always good ol' chemo..

    Hope everyone's doing good today. Did Trubrit have surgery after that insurance fiasco? Anybody know if everything went ok?

    Also

    The pathology on my lymphs and margins of my three tumors were all clear!!  

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